Colonial Cafe, German Festival, Art



 April 25  Friday continued

There was so much to see and do at the Buddhist Temple, but the plans for the day would not let us stay longer.  We were getting hungry, and the second big plan for the day was a visit to a Colonial Café.  Our friends at the papelaria store said we needed to experience this culinary feast of typical Brazilian colonial foods.  So back down the mountain we go. . .

We picked the colonial café on the right side of the road between Canela and Gramado.  As soon as we walked in, we knew it was going to be an expensive, but amazing lunch.  We were seated at a big round table with a turntable in the center. . . and then the food began. 

Plate by plate, our servers brought out a variety of cooked meat, chicken, bread, fruit, pastels, pickled vegetables, potato delicacies,, pastries, cakes. . . and pitchers of rich, flavorful grape juice.  The food was amazing, but so much more than we could possible eat - and we were all very hungry. 

How many desserts will fit
on my plate?

And there was a dessert bar filled with puddings, pies, cakes, mousse, fruits, ice cream and sorbets. . . how do you choose?  Just try a spoonful of each and use two forks!





To complete our amazing day, we drove up the hill to the German Festival - an annual celebration of immigrant influence and heritage in the area.  A parade was being formed in front of a building we wanted to go through - music and art from/by the locals was inside. 

We looked at the animals and the decorated carts, and watched the children as they sang and danced. A big open bus held a Bavarian band and singers that serenaded everyone along the parade route.   

 

 After the parade, we entered the art building and discovered several works of an artist we have wanted to contact.  We have seen her paintings of hortensias in several motels and shops, and have loved them. 

I took a picture of a label with her name and contact information and a couple of pictures of a few pieces of art we liked.

As I was doing that, a lady came up behind me and asked if she could help me.  I assumed she was someone who was working at the fair. . . but it turned out that it was the artist herself, Lisete Heinrich.  What a surprise!  She helped us pick a painting, one that was different than what she usually does.  We loved it, purchased it, and had a photo taken with her.  We will have to take the painting off the frame to transport it home. . . hope it all works out.

The other thing we wanted to find at the festival was our favorite drink - cane juice with lime.  We were not disappointed!  We sipped on our drinks as we walked around the festival shops, displays, and attractions.  David and Ann even enjoyed dancing to music being played by a German band.  Much fun for all.

After our long day - filled with things we wanted to see and experience before we fly home - we were all exhausted and headed for home.  Ann had still not fully recuperated, and was in bed by 5:30 p.m.